Probably the new car will be on the market for the 2007 or 2008. Next spring
just a small restyling and new engines.

Alex

www.artofvenice.com

The DaimlerChrysler Press text goes as follows
(please note that some engines will NOT be
available in the US, it is a general press
text)

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CLK-Class: more dynamic and attractive than ever

Up to 36 percent more output with three new
six-cylinder engines

ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE with even more
individual design

Upgraded standard equipment, sports packages
for even more driving pleasure

Geneva, Mar 01, 2005
CLK – for several years this combination of
letters has stood for coupé elegance and
open-air driving pleasure. Since Mercedes-Benz
presented the second generation of the CLK-Class
in May 2002 - the Cabriolet followed one year
later – these attractive two-door models have
captured the enthusiasm of more than 200,000
drivers worldwide.
In early spring 2005 the Coupé and Cabriolet will
take another leap forward. This is meant quite
literally, for with three newly developed
six-cylinder engines the CLK-Class has become
even more powerful and sporty: the new CLK 350
(200 kW/272 hp) replaces the previous CLK 320,
bettering its output by 25 percent and its
torque by approx. 13 percent.

The CLK 280 is also new; the 170 kW/231-hp V6
engine in this model has no less than 36 percent
more output and 25 percent more torque than the
preceding model CLK 240. The performance figures
fully reflect this: the CLK 280 Coupé shortens
the time required to accelerate from standstill
to 100 km/h to 7.4 seconds, and to 6.4 seconds
for the CLK 350 Coupé – this means that both V6
models are up to 1.8 seconds faster in a sprint
than their predecessors, before going on to
reach their top speed of 250 km/h.

Diesel fans will in future also find more driving
pleasure and dynamic performance in the CLK-Class:
the new CLK 320 CDI with its state-of-the-art
direct-injection diesel engine is exemplary in
terms of both output (165 kW/224 hp) and torque
(510 Newton metres with 7G-TRONIC), as well as
in fuel economy: 7.2 to 7.3 litres per 100
kilometres (combined consumption). Compared to
the previous five-cylinder diesel, the new CLK
320 CDI with the optional seven-speed automatic
transmission has a 22-km/h higher maximum speed
of 250 km/h (Coupé) and accelerates from nought
to 100 km/h one second faster.

From the first quarter of 2005 Mercedes-Benz
will for the first time also be offering a
Cabriolet with a diesel engine in the form of
the CLK 320 CDI.

The tried-and-tested four-cylinder diesel unit
with 110 kW/150 hp will be available in the CLK
Coupé from early summer 2005; it is happy with
just 6.4 to 6.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres
and delivers a maximum speed of 221 km/h.

The two eight-cylinder models CLK 500 and CLK 55
AMG continue to top the model range of this
Mercedes class.

Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the extensive standard
specification of the CLK-Class with newly
developed, crash-responsive NECK-PRO head
restraints, an automatic tyre pressure loss
warning system and ISOFIX child seat attachments.
Bi-xenon headlamps with the Active Light System
are available on request.

Body: more muscular presence with redesigned
front end

In visual terms too, the Coupé and Cabriolet in
the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class show that they have
gained in power since the extensive model facelift:
the redesigned front bumper with its pronounced
wedge shape and larger air intakes, as well as
the modified radiator grille with three louvre
(previously four) ensure a more imposing appearance.
The front end now also reflects the characteristics
of the two design and equipment lines more clearly:
in the ELEGANCE version the louvres in the radiator
grille are silver, and black in the AVANTGARDE line.

Mercedes-Benz uncompromisingly continues this
differentiation with respect to the side view,
where the AVANTGARDE version of the CLK-Class
has silver-painted 17-inch light-alloy wheels
in a five-twin-spoke design, while the ELEGANCE
line features nine-spoke light-alloy wheels
(16-inch) in sterling silver.

The tyre sizes at a glance:

AVANTGARDE: front 225/45 R 17, rear 245/40 R 17
ELEGANCE: front 205/55 R 16, rear 225/50 R 16
(CLK 220 CDI, CLK 200 KOMPRESSOR, CLK 280)
front 225/45 R 17, rear 245/40 R 17
(CLK 320 CDI, CLK 350, CLK 500)
Redesigned, brilliant-look rear light clusters
with more pronounced horizontal divisions
emphasise the powerful design statement of the
CLK-Class. In the AVANTGARDE line the lenses
are dark-tinted.
Interior: upgraded to the last detail

With their well-known attention to detail,
Mercedes designers have upgraded the interior
of the CLK-Class and made sure that the
individuality of the lines is even more
clearly expressed. Models ordered in the
AVANTGARDE line feature new, black upholstery
in a combination of ARTICO man-made leather
and fabric as standard. As an optional
alternative, leather upholstery is available
with colour-contrasting seats, centre door
panels and rear side wall panels. The colours
available are basalt grey, pebble beige,
tundra brown, flamenco red and cappuccino brown.
In place of the standard aluminium trim, Mercedes
customers will in future be able to specify wood
trim in black ash for the AVANTGARDE line. The
roof lining in the AVANTGARDE line is black.

The instrument cluster in this design and
equipment line is also new. It distinguishes
itself with a front panel of matt aluminium,
as well as white instrument dials with
line-specific lettering and chrome surrounds.

The colour and materials concept of the ELEGANCE
line has likewise been entirely updated. A new
fabric design in black or basalt grey, new
leather upholstery (optional) in black, basalt
grey or pebble beige and new wood trim in dark
ash emphasise the restrained elegance of the
interior. In both lines the leather upholstery
has a new surface grain with a more refined, soft
character.

Sports packages: even more dynamism ex factory

Mercedes-Benz meets the wishes of many drivers
for even more sporty touches with two new
equipment packages. These not only include
visual features, but also technical modifications
for even more dynamic performance. In addition
to 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a multi-spoke
design, wide-base tyres in size 225/ 40 R 18
(front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear), chrome exhaust
tailpipes and an exhaust system with a
particularly sporty sound, the sports package
for the CLK-Class Coupé and Cabriolet includes
perforated brake discs and a sports suspension
which lowers the body by 15 millimetres.

To give the interior a sporty enhancement, the
sports package includes multicontour seats for
the driver and front passenger, steering-wheel
gearshift buttons (in conjunction with an
automatic transmission), aluminium-look sports
pedals and velour floor mats with silver edging.

Mercedes customers who choose the AMG sports
package receive additional features such as
the front apron in AMG styling, the AMG airflow
breakaway edge on the boot lid, the AMG silencer
with a chrome-plated twin tailpipe and floor
mats with an embroidered AMG logo. Another
special item in the AMG sports package is the
five-spoke 18-inch light-alloy wheels painted
in sterling silver. The tyre sizes are 225/40
R 18 (front) and 255/35 R 18 (rear).
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End of DaimlerChrysler Press Text

Juergen